Social Experience Shows How Gay-Friendly Lisbon and the Portuguese AreLorenzo and Pedro, a cute gay couple from Lisbon, Portugal have just managed to proof what we at LisbonBeach have always belived - that Lisbon is a gay-friendly city! With the help of a friend using a hidden-camera, the sexy couple decided to walk holding hands in different neighborhoods of Lisbon, including in areas that we wouldn't say are LGBT-friendly. But the results were clear: Lorenzo and Pedro were respected and faced no problems!

Are you planing your trip to Lisbon, Portugal? Have a look at our Lisbon Gay Guide and the set of Tours we offer and you will have a great time. See you very soon in beautiful and friendly Lisboa!

Lisbon is a perfect city to enjoy a Summer full of gay funIf you happen to be lucky enough to be spending some Summer days in Lisbon, then we have good news. Lisbon is a perfect city to enjoy those hot Summer days. First the weather is naturally amazing, being warm, sunny and dry practically for the whole season. On top of that, there is a the Ocean breeze so you won't suffer a scorching heat like in Madrid, for instance. As a rule, Lisbon nights are fresh and pleasant.

Moreover, Lisbon allows you to make the most out of a Summer because you get the chance to combine the benefits of city life (nightlife, culture, eating out, shopping) with the good things of a seaside resort (beach, beach, beach). Bellow you present you a quick guide to make the most of a Gay Summer in lovely Lisboa.

During the day:Daytime is beach time! Around Lisbon there are dozens of excellent beaches but gay guys focus on Beach 19 and Meco Beachmostly.

Beach 19 is definitely the most popular and therefore has gained the title of Lisbon Gay Beach. It offers stunning nature ad it is located in a natural reserve where urban development is not permitted. You also have the Atlantic ocean and being a nude beach the chance for cruising are endless. In fact the what happens in Beach 19 even got director Antonio da Silva to film his short movie Beach 19. You can find complete instructions on how to get there on our dedicated Beach 19 page but remember that the easiest way to get there is with our Day Trips to Beach 19.

If you would like to explore further you can try Meco Beach which also has a nude section and it is also on a Nature Reserve. Cruising is far more "soft" in Meco but on the other hand you get a much better selection of bars and restaurants. Some even organize chill-out T-Dance parties, in particular on Sundays.

During the night:Follow the local rules: late dinner (anyway you've probably returned late from the beach and you still need to chill, take a shower and get dressed). After dinner, head on to Bairro Alto. During the warm Summer nights the gay corner gets packed of people outside enjoying their drinks and chatting. This is a great way to check the guys out and making new friends. During the Summer, the 2 largest gay clubs (Trumps& Construction) open also on Thursdays (in addition to Fridays and Saturdays). Remember to only head to a club after 2am.

What you can't miss:Beach 19 + Bairro Alto on a warm Friday or Saturday nightHave a look at our Lisbon Gay Guidefor more suggestions.

What not to do:If you are using your own car to head on to the beach beware of the probability of heavy traffic jams. The most critical issues with traffic are:- The "dirt road" that leads to Beach 19 completely blocks the possibility of leaving the beach 19 before 10am during weekends. Rather than being frustrated for 3 hours on a traffic jam, make the most of your day. Stay in the beach until the latest that you can. Watch the sunset from the beach and enjoy those last hours full of peace at this beautiful place.- The access to the 25th of April bridge, in the direction South-North (the return to Lisbon), will have heavy traffic at the end of the days in weekends.- Be aware that the 15th of August is a bank holiday in Portugal and therefore, if the weather is nice, the issues with traffic will be even more serious.

The Algarve is Increasingly a LGBT Tourism DestinationAre you looking for a new, off-the-beaten-track, gay destination? Well then, the Algarve may be exactly what you are looking for. After Lisbon becoming internationally known as a great spot for a gay holiday, it is now the South of Portugal, known as the Algarve that is becoming increasingly recognized as a great place for some days of gay leisure. Being aware of the potential of Algarve as a gay destination Ron, David & Yann opened the gay clothing-optional Casa Risa House & Spa which has become the ideal spot to base yourself while you explore Gay Algarve.

What Can You Find in the AlgarveWhat does the region offer? Basically everything. In the Algarve you have an amazingly beautiful landscape that provides you with hundreds of beaches, mountains, farms, forests and countryside. Luckily most of the Algarve has escaped the wild urban development associated with tourism. With few exceptions (avoid areas like Quarteira, for example), Algarve is still very much a region made up of small cities and villages. The food and wines are absolutely outstanding and it is not hard to find family-owned restaurants that serve delicious food at an amazing value. Seafood is a must and don't miss out on typical sweets of the region. The people of Algarve are friendly and hospitable. Don't be surprised if strangers greet you and make conversation with you, especially in the small villages. The climate is warm with sunshine practically all year-round. The sea-water is much warmer than the Atlantic oceans that bath Lisbon, even though you can't expect the hot soup that the Mediterranean offers. The Faro international airport makes it easy to arrive to Algarve and you can easily hop on a fast train and spend a few days in Lisbon as well. Seville, the spanish region of Andalucia is also near Algarve and can also be visited easily.

Casa Risa House & Spa is the Perfect Stay for your Gaycation in AlgarveIf you want to take your gay holiday in the Algarve to the best level possible, then you the absolute best thing to do is to base yourself at the gay clothing-optional Casa Risa House & Spa. The first reason for this is because the Casa Risa itself is beautiful and offers great facilities. The whole Guesthouse revolves around a large central area that includes a large pool and luxurious gardens. All rooms and common areas are tastefully decorated, comfortable and clean. You do have a feeling of being away from the world and in an oasis. Being naked is very well accepted and that helps to give a feeling of evasion to the ambiance of Casa Risa. What more can you ask for in a gay holiday than to head out to the pool of your hotel and meeting a couple of friendly sexy nude guys enjoying a drink? There is also a large jacuzzi, which is perfect for the chilly nights and where you can also spend some great time with the other guests. Ron, David and Yann have explained that they plan to have a fully working spa soon which together with the jacuzzi will make Casa Risa perfect even for a holiday in the winter. What also makes the Casa Risa a great spot is the friendly welcome by the owners. They really enjoy helping you having the most of your gay holiday. They will help you out with suggestions of places to go and their overall open and liberal attitude helps make Casa Risa a relaxed and beautiful place.

Loads of Activities for Gay Holidaymakers in the AlgarveThere is plenty to do in Gay Algarve. Just exploring the 9 gay beaches of Algarve can keep you busy for a whole vacation. Most of these beaches are clothing-optional and cruising is common, so you can meet some hot locals. For lovers of History and culture, the whole region is dotted with villages with important Historic attractions, from Castles to Palaces. You can also indulge in activities such as water sports (we mean Kitesurf, Surf, Dive, Snorkeling, etc), mountain hiking, bicycling, bird-watching, golf and many more! At night there are several gay bars/discos and also a gay sauna in Albufeira.

A trusted marketplace for gay travelers seeking unique and affordable accommodations worldwide with already 18,000 hosts in over 130 countries, misterbnb.com announces its expansion to Lisbon, a favorite destination for gay travelers in Europe, with its official launch party on May 27, during Lisboa Bear Pride, one of Lisbon’s biggest gay events.

misterbnb.com is excited to welcome aboard gays from Lisbon ready to make money from their space and to open their homes to gay travelers from around the world, flocking to Lisbon for Bear Pride, for gay pride or for a great summer vacation.

During the launch party at Tr3s, as a welcome gift, misterbnb.com will offer €25 vouchers to experience misterbnb.com anywhere in the world. The promo code will also be on flyers distributed in all major Lisbon gay venues.

While focused initially in Paris and Barcelona, misterbnb has seen incredible organic growth since its launch. With now 18,000 listings in 130 countries, misterbnb is already the largest gay hotelier in the world. After having recently raised $2M from American, European and Chinese investors, it is now focusing on Lisbon, Amsterdam, London, New York, Berlin, San Francisco and Brussels.

PitchBeach '15 - Rugby & Volley International Gay Tournament In 2015, Lisbon will again be hosting Pitch Beach, an international Rugby and Volley tournament for LGBT sports teams. The 5th edition of this event will be held between 16 and 18th of July, helping to raise the already warm temperatures expected. The Pitch Beach tournament is organized by the Lisbon-based Boys Just Wanna Have Fun Sports Club (BJWF), which includes the local rugby gay team (Dark Horses) and also a volley team (Lisbon Crows).

Watch the games in Carcavelos BeachAround 100 athletes are expected to participate in this year's tournament. Teams will first battle it out on the pitch but then also on the beach. Therefore, if you want to support the boys you can actually do it whilst enjoying some nice beach time. Head on to Carcavelos beach on the 18th of July and have a great day celebrating sports and equality.

Lisbons' most modern gay sauna has expandedTrombeta Bath is the most recent gay sauna in Lisbon. The interiors are modern and clean and their fresh look contribute to making Trombeta Bath a pleasant place. During 2014, there have been several improvements and additions to it's space, helping to make it even larger and better. Trombeta Bath now has the following new areas: bar; jacuzzi; a new dark-room and also a new area for massages. These new spaces respond to what many visitors had requested, in particular the jacuzzi and the bar.

Trombeta Bath is a great option for cruising and chillingIf you are visiting Lisbon and looking for a place to chill and cruise, then Trombeta Bath is a great option. This gay sauna is located right in the heart of one of Lisbon's gay districts - Bairro Alto. Inside you can find plenty of different areas and free WiFi access is provided. Trombeta is particularly popular on Sundays, from early hours (as an after-hours venue) throughout the rest of the day. Other popular times include the "after-work hours" (6-8pm) during weekdays and weekends/bank holidays.

Lisbon's gayest district of Príncipe Real welcomes a new gay bar: Iceberg Bar.

Iceberg: Small but Warm

This cosy gay bar has a minimalist white and blue interior. A large window allows you to check the street out (or vice-versa). On some nights, go-go boys dance by the window making it impossible not to notice Iceberg Bar when walking on the street. The music tunes are usually Pop or Electronic and on Fridays, a DJ animates the venue. On busy nights there is usually a crowd on the street in front of the bar.

Hetero-Friendly LGBT VenueIceberg Bar defines itself as an hetero-friendly LGBT bar and therefore it aims to welcome everyone. This is in contrast to most venues of the area which are mostly dedicated to gay Bears and their admirers.

Spot for a pre-Clubbing DrinkIceberg is located in Lisbon's gay district (Principe Real) right in the middle of the major clubbing options (Trumps, Construction and Finalmente). Therefore, Iceberg bar can be a perfect spot for a couple of drinks before heading to the one of LGBT nightclubs of Lisbon. Remember that locals only go to the clubs around 2 or 3am. Until that hour, relax and enjoy a drink at a bar.

Queer Lisboa Film Festival will be held from 19 to 27th of SeptemberLisbon will again host the 18th Edition of this film festival which has already became one of the largest LGBT Film Festivals in Europe, in terms of the number of films being screened.

Queer Lisboa is dedicated exclusively to screening gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and transsexual themed films, a genre known as Queer Cinema. Their programme is designed by selecting the most aesthetically and narrative wise relevant titles in the international panorama, so that the audience has access to a number of films whose visibility in the film circuit is very restricted.

Antonio da Silva will debut it's latest short movie - Beach 19Antonio da Silva is an award-winning Portuguese artist filmmaker based in London since 2005. He is interested in cinema, performance and visual arts. His films are regularly screened at festivals worldwide and he is a contributor to Butt Magazine. All of his works cross the line between art and pornography.

On this edition of the festival you will be able to watch his latest short film Beach 19, which focuses on the cruising aspect of Lisbon's Gay Beach.